Event #4 of 6 is now in the books at the Potomac River. I finished a disappointing 95th place after weighing in two consecutive 12-pound limits.
To be honest, I can't say that I messed this event up - I fished clean and found the same areas holding fish that everyone else did. I didn't miss anything in practice and I didn't have any execution problems. I've had a day to reflect on this event, and knowing that I finished ahead of guys like Jason Christie, Dave Wolak, I can't hang my head too far. This was an interesting event where 20-40 boats would pile into small areas. Those who got the 3 and 4-pound bites moved up. Unfortunately, I didn't get those bites.
In the big picture, I should stay in the points race with a chance to make the Cup with two events to go. Going to a brand new venue without any experience on it, and throw in a tide to complicate matters - I'm proud of myself for catching a solid limit both days on a new body of water.
I've also had some up-close and personal encounters with both some of the good-guys and the bad-guys in the sport. I've seen how some anglers use each other to work them for information, fishing spots, and even steal waypoints. Terrance and I had dinner out the night that Day 2 wrapped up and witnessed an example right in front of our eyes, where one "rookie" tried to work me for Kentucky Lake info while his father worked another Kentucky Lake expert for info and waypoints at the next table. It's really sad to see that the new generation of anglers thinks that this is the way to succeed. I'm learning who those guys are on Tour, and trust me, you know their names quite well. In fact, the angler that was working me for Kentucky Lake also told me a story about how he was used and abused by another Indiana rookie. I've been there too. I left dinner pretty disgusted that night, knowing that some of the success these guys are having is directly tied to them getting better help and in many cases taking advantage of people. It's a sad, but true, reality in our sport. I'll continue to work hard using my own resources and not trying to steal anything from anybody, but rather earn my finishes and gain the valuable experience to benefit from in the years to come. But more importantly, I'll continue to try to help others and honor God in the process, and I'll let Him decide when I will do well in my next tournament.
With that being said, I also had an opportunity to help another angler who is one of the good guys on Tour, Clifford Pirch. Clifford was broke down a few miles from check-in on Day 1. I pulled over to pick him and his co-angler up to get them back to weigh-in with one minute to spare. Once the weigh-in was over, we troubleshooted his problem and ended up having to track down a prop from Ish Monroe and a cotter pin from the service trailer over the next few hours. I joked with Clifford that he was on my mother-in-law's Fantasy Fishing team, so I had to help get him back on the water so he could make a Top 10. As I write this, Clifford was in 3rd going into the final day and had a chance to win. He went out of his way to thank me and show his appreciation for me stopping to help. I pray that Clifford wins at the Potomac, as he deserves it.
I've been away from home for 17 days and missed several of my sons' baseball games. Multiple traffic jams, parking in unsafe neighborhoods, equipment failures, 12 hour drives, sleeping in the truck, running out of clean clothes, getting caught on the lake in storms, dirty bathrooms, cold coffee.....these are just some of the unpleasant things you get to deal with as a professional angler. If you think this is "living the dream," reality quickly sets in. But let me tell you, I'm honored and blessed to be out here doing what I love in the outdoors and pulling the Red Gold boat across our beautiful country.
We'll regroup over the next couple of weeks and will be looking to make a move at Kentucky Lake. Thanks to all of you who continue to support and encourage me. God Bless!
Zona: Don't Be That Guy
"Boat Ramps are Like Security Checkpoints at Airports:
Nobody Wants to Wait in That Line"
Dear Friends:
It's Memorial Day weekend - the "kick-off" of the recreational boating season. I'd like to share with you a timely message from a professional angler and TV show host friend of mine, Mark Zona. If you know Mark like I do, you can imagine him writing these words with a smile on his face and teeth clenched, but the point he makes is good for anyone who will be heading to the launch ramp this summer. Enjoy-
Kindest,
Scott Croft
BoatUS Public Relations
From Mark Zona:
Memorial Day is coming up. It's a time to slow down and remember every soldier that has made a sacrifice, suffered death or a life changing injury so that goobers like me could run around covering bass tournaments and filming fishing shows. Two simple words: "Thank You."
But look, I'm convinced that if I ever stop filming fishing shows, I could show up on any boat ramp in America on Memorial Day weekend and film a best-selling blooper tape of people struggling on boat ramps.
Look, do me a favor. Do us all a favor. Don't be "that guy." If you're reading this and you aren't absolutely confident that you'll be a thing of perfect efficiency when you get to the ramp this weekend - well, then - fix what needs fixing.
Is your cranking battery fresh, or has it been sitting stale as last year's Christmas cookies? And please tell me you're not going to ask your wife or brother-in-law, neither of whom have ever backed a boat down a ramp in their life, to "help you."
If you just absolutely have to rely on an amateur for assistance, then I'd recommend going to an empty parking lot for practice until they are experts at backing-up a trailer before you even consider humiliating them and yourself on 'game day' this coming weekend.
See, here's the deal, boat ramps are like security checkpoints at airports. Nobody wants to wait in that line, so don't make it worse by being totally unprepared when you're up to bat.
Boat ramps are not maintenance garages. It's not a place to tune up your outboard, organize your fishing tackle or take inventory of your water skies and inflatables.
It's not a playground either, so rein in the zoo monkeys. I love taking my kids to the lake. It's an important part of our lives. But I don't let the little crumb snatchers run rampant on the launch ramp. It's dangerous, and it's irresponsible.
Think of boat ramps as a toll booth. Get in. Get out. And getting out doesn't mean pulling up five-feet from the water's edge and stopping. Get way out of the way before you stop to re-adjust all your equipment for the ride home.
You guys that are reading this probably don't need a lecture. Most of you are proficient bass boat owners. But "the guy" that is "that guy" probably doesn't even realize that he is "that guy." So help him out, dudes. If you have one of those guys in your life - help him get prepared - Memorial Day is not the time to be a jackknife on the boat ramp.
And by all means, speaking of being prepared, no matter how proficient you are on the ramp - make sure you call BoatUS Angler to sign-up for a membership www.BoatUS.com/angler/. You just never know when you're gonna need assistance on the road to the lake, or once you're on the water. And certainly let's hope none of us have issues on the boat ramp this coming weekend.
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